Trenton police kept busy with weekend crimes

TRENTON — A “person of interest” in the killing of 18-year-old Jose M. Maldonado was interviewed by police Saturday, and investigators have questioned several other people after the city resident was stabbed to death earlier that day, police said.

Officials also said they were aware of the assault of a woman related to the “person of interest” in the same area of the city around the time Maldonado was killed. But they could not say whether the crimes were connected, and no arrests have been made in either investigation.

Maldonado was stabbed around 2 a.m. on Sherman Avenue after being involved in a verbal dispute, Sgt. Chris Doyle said. He was pronounced dead at the scene when police arrived.

Maldonado’s death was the highest profile crime during a busy weekend for the city’s layoff-depleted police force. Fewer officers have been working the streets due to a ban on hiring replacements for sick and vacationing cops.

Between Friday and Sunday night, seven armed or strong-arm robberies were reported to police, an unusually high number for a three-day period, Sgt. Mark Kieffer said.

Violent crime had already been on the rise before the layoffs of 105 officers Sept. 16.

Police unions and some residents have raised concerns over whether the smaller force of officers, who are often rushing from call to call, is having trouble keeping a lid on crime.

Last year 57 people were shot in Trenton, police said. With two months left in 2011 the number has already doubled, with 116 people shot so far this year. Figures released over the summer also showed increases in armed robberies and burglary.

Anyone with information on city crimes should call police at (609) 989-4170 or the Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.